Surfing4Dough Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Another deal...Kill-A-Watt P4400$14.99 after coupon (shipped)http://www.meritline.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=22980&SEName=p3-international-p4400-kill-a-watt-the-electricity-detectorUse coupon code MLCK203005082529NL1 for $6 off the $20.99 price.FYI, I order things from meritline all the time, and they are very reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim6918 Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 How accurate is this particular meter? I purchased a different amp/watt tester last year when I broke into LOR. It is the Reliance Controls THP103 AmWatt Generator Appliance Wattage/Amps Load Tester. You can see it on Amazon at:http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-THP103-Digital-Appliance/dp/B000G7TKCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231465817&sr=8-1The problem I have with it is that the reading fluctuates quite a bit with something plugged into it: for that matter when there is nothing plugged in the business end, the reading bounces between 0.0 and .2 amps. For example, a 100 ct string of incandescent minis bounces around from .2 to .6 amps, nevr really settling on a steady number. A 600 count mini tree flucuates from 1.9 to 2.6 amps. In a single application this might not be an issue, but those amps do add up pretty quickly and I would like it to be more accurate.I am willing to trash the one I have and get something else, but just wondering if this is just the way these low dollar meters are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 jim6918 wrote: How accurate is this particular meter? I purchased a different amp/watt tester last year when I broke into LOR. It is the Reliance Controls THP103 AmWatt Generator Appliance Wattage/Amps Load Tester. You can see it on Amazon at:http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-THP103-Digital-Appliance/dp/B000G7TKCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231465817&sr=8-1The problem I have with it is that the reading fluctuates quite a bit with something plugged into it: for that matter when there is nothing plugged in the business end, the reading bounces between 0.0 and .2 amps. For example, a 100 ct string of incandescent minis bounces around from .2 to .6 amps, nevr really settling on a steady number. A 600 count mini tree flucuates from 1.9 to 2.6 amps. In a single application this might not be an issue, but those amps do add up pretty quickly and I would like it to be more accurate.I am willing to trash the one I have and get something else, but just wondering if this is just the way these low dollar meters are.Blue Planet Electronic Energy Meter from Canadian Tire (about $25) didn't fluctuate. Testing showed the same reading each time. I would get a better one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 jim6918 wrote: How accurate is this particular meter? I purchased a different amp/watt tester last year when I broke into LOR. It is the Reliance Controls THP103 AmWatt Generator Appliance Wattage/Amps Load Tester. You can see it on Amazon at:http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-THP103-Digital-Appliance/dp/B000G7TKCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231465817&sr=8-1The problem I have with it is that the reading fluctuates quite a bit with something plugged into it: for that matter when there is nothing plugged in the business end, the reading bounces between 0.0 and .2 amps. For example, a 100 ct string of incandescent minis bounces around from .2 to .6 amps, nevr really settling on a steady number. A 600 count mini tree flucuates from 1.9 to 2.6 amps. In a single application this might not be an issue, but those amps do add up pretty quickly and I would like it to be more accurate.I am willing to trash the one I have and get something else, but just wondering if this is just the way these low dollar meters are.I have a kill-a-watt and am pleased. Seems very accurate and doesn't fluctuate (much). When I measure a standard 100ct string of incandescent minis it usually measures at 0.33A, and rarely 0.34A (probably a rounding issue), which is what is usually cited in the forums for the power requirement for such lights. Your present meter bounces nearly a half an amp which seems like a lot. Consider a difference of 0.4A each amongst 20 strings and that is a 8A difference. Pretty easy to damage equipment with that inaccuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim6918 Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Surfing4Dough wrote: jim6918 wrote: How accurate is this particular meter? I purchased a different amp/watt tester last year when I broke into LOR. It is the Reliance Controls THP103 AmWatt Generator Appliance Wattage/Amps Load Tester. You can see it on Amazon at:http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-THP103-Digital-Appliance/dp/B000G7TKCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231465817&sr=8-1The problem I have with it is that the reading fluctuates quite a bit with something plugged into it: for that matter when there is nothing plugged in the business end, the reading bounces between 0.0 and .2 amps. For example, a 100 ct string of incandescent minis bounces around from .2 to .6 amps, nevr really settling on a steady number. A 600 count mini tree flucuates from 1.9 to 2.6 amps. In a single application this might not be an issue, but those amps do add up pretty quickly and I would like it to be more accurate.I am willing to trash the one I have and get something else, but just wondering if this is just the way these low dollar meters are.I have a kill-a-watt and am pleased. Seems very accurate and doesn't fluctuate (much). When I measure a standard 100ct string of incandescent minis it usually measures at 0.33A, and rarely 0.34A (probably a rounding issue), which is what is usually cited in the forums for the power requirement for such lights. Your present meter bounces nearly a half an amp which seems like a lot. Consider a difference of 0.4A each amongst 20 strings and that is a 8A difference. Pretty easy to damage equipment with that inaccuracy.I couldnt agree more, thats why I asked about the characteristics of the Killa Watt. Didn't see a reason to replace if they are all the same, but doesn't sound like it.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Deal won't last long.Kill A Watt P4400 $16.99 Free Shippinghttp://www.meritline.com/p3-international-p4400-kill-a-watt-the-electricity-detector---p-22980.aspxCoupon Code :MLC203005012620NL1 limit 200 uses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickByrd Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Surfing4Dough wrote: Deal won't last long.Kill A Watt P4400 $16.99 Free Shippinghttp://www.meritline.com/p3-international-p4400-kill-a-watt-the-electricity-detector---p-22980.aspxCoupon Code :MLC203005012620NL1 limit 200 uses Got it! But the code was used up. Paid $20.99, still not too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Available again!Kill A Watt P4400 $16.99 Free Shipping (with multi-use coupon below)http://www.meritline.com/p3-international-p4400-kill-a-watt-the-electricity-detector---p-22980.aspxCoupon Code :MLC203005021420NL1 Starts On : 2/14/2011 5:00:00 AM PST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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